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europe1 hour ago
Nowadays, a quick search online can usually provide an answer to any question. But when Khaleej Times secured the promise of a "handwritten, tailored essay" online within just 30 minutes, it's easy to see how the trend of academic dishonesty is causing concern for universities here.
This practice - which has become more dominant as technology has advanced - is a 21st century issue, which has the potential to breed a generation of 'e-cheaters'.
From simply copying and pasting large chunks of text from multiple online sources for academic essays, to students buying tailor-made papers online, universities are trying to stay ahead of the game by introducing plagiarism technology.
But with various online essay-writing sites promising "fresh content ... 930 plagiarism-free", it has proven difficult to monitor the practice.
KT goes undercover
Posing as an undergraduate business student here, this reporter submitted a request to several Dubai-based online essay-writing services, asking for a 2,500 word essay to be completed within 10 days.
After supplying a detailed overview of the content required, including an essay question and preferred reference list, two consultants responded within just 30 minutes - one via phone and another via email.
Both responded with a cost estimate, and one with full bank deposit details.
"We will try our best to satisfy you with our work. Your requested work can be done by June 1 and it would cost Dh600. Kindly make the payment via bank transfer/ATM transfer by using below details to confirm your order," the email read.
And the second estimate, which came via a telephone consultation, for the exact same content and deadline proved a little pricier. Charging 80 fils per word, the consultant said the essay would cost Dh2,000, with "amendments or changes following handover" at no extra cost.
She then proceeded to follow up with a Whatsapp message pinning the location of the office for payment.
When both were asked how they could assure the copy would be original content, free of plagiarism, the phone consultant said a full report via a well-known "proofreading and plagiarism-detection resource" website would be sent with the completed essay. The second did not provide a response.
However, both did assure that a "non-disclosure agreement for confidentiality" could be signed if preferred.
When it came to payment, one website asked for the full amount upfront via bank transfer, and the second asked for a 50 per cent down payment to start, with the remaining 50 per cent paid on completion.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
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